On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dropped the five-count charges against ex-FCT minister, Bala Mohammed.

According to a report by ThisDay Newspaper, the EFCC withdrew the charges it filed against former Minister in a suit marked CR/43/2016 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Gudu.

It was further reported that when the case came up Bala's arraignment before Justice Abubakar Talba, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters, applied to withdraw the charges.

Peters also informed the court that the reason is to enable the commission put its house in order.

The application to withdraw the charges was unopposed by the counsel to Bala, Chief Chris Uche (SAN).

Following this, the charges were struck out by Justice Talba and Bala, who had earlier filed for a motion for bail after weeks in custody went home in company of many relations, well-wishers and sympathisers.

Bala arrested and detained on October 24, 2016, after honouring an invitation from the commission over allegations bothering on corruption charges during his reign.

Arugu masquerades from Bayelsa performing during the Masquerade Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Ogalama masquerades from Doma in Nasarawa performing during the Masquerade Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

A solo masquerade from the FCT performing during the Masquerade Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Clowns playing with children during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Bayelsa contingent performing during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Students of St. Aloysius Basic School, Area 3, Garki performing a cultural dance during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja.

Students of Junior Secondary School, Karu performing a cultural dance during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Commissioner for Education in Anambra, Prof. Kate Omenugha (3rd L); Former Governor of Abia, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu (5th, L); The Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Chidi Isizoh (M); Former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh (5th, R); and other diginitaries after the Holy Mass before a lecture delivered by the former Governor to Students at the Holy Family on Sunday
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From left: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen Olanrewaju Tejuoso; and Lead Health Specialist, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, Meera Shekar during a high level policy dialogue on nutrition in Nigeria on Monday
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From left: Director General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mr Sadeeq Omar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Phylis Nwokedi and the Director of Training and Development, NCWD, Princess Jummai Idonije during the presentation of certificates to Female Artisans in Abuja on Monday
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From left: Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistani Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Barnabas Bala Bantex; Chairman, Senate Committe on Air Force, Sen. Duro Faseyi; former Governor of Gombe State, Sen. Danjuma Goje; representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Amb. Danjuma Sheni; and Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the Handing Over and Induction Ceremony of the Super Mushshak Aircraft presented by Pakistani Air Force to Nigerian Air Force, in Kaduna
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. Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistani Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman (R) handing over documents on the Super Mushshak Aircraft from his Force to the Chief of Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the ceremony in Kaduna
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Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe (L), Addressing a News Conference on the Re- Accreditation of NHRC To 'A' Status by International coordinating body of International Human Rights Institutions under the United Nations Systems in Abuja on Monday (5/12/16). With him is the Deputy Director, Protection and Investigation, NHRC, Mr Lambert Oparah
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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh (R), with the Minister of State, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, during a News Conference on Huge Grains Export and Fear of Famine in the Country, in Abuja
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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh (6th, R); the Minister of State, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri (7th, R), with members of the ministry’s Press Corps, during a News Conference on Huge Grains Export and Fear of Famine in the Country, in Abuja
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From left: Permanent Secretary, Career Management, Office of Head of Civil Service (OHCS), Mr Ogbonnaya Innocent; A Staff of Brains and Hammer Estate Developer, Ifeoma Okoye; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita; Chairman, Brains and Hammer Estate Developer, Mr Adebola Sheidu; and the Permanent Secretary Common Services office, OHCS, Mr Sky Adelakun during a visit of Brains and Hammer Estate Developer to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja
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Arugu masquerades from Bayelsa performing during the Masquerade Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Ogalama masquerades from Doma in Nasarawa performing during the Masquerade Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

A solo masquerade from the FCT performing during the Masquerade Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Clowns playing with children during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Bayelsa contingent performing during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Students of St. Aloysius Basic School, Area 3, Garki performing a cultural dance during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja.

Students of Junior Secondary School, Karu performing a cultural dance during the Children Fiesta at the Abuja Carnival in Abuja

Commissioner for Education in Anambra, Prof. Kate Omenugha (3rd L); Former Governor of Abia, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu (5th, L); The Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Chidi Isizoh (M); Former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh (5th, R); and other diginitaries after the Holy Mass before a lecture delivered by the former Governor to Students at the Holy Family on Sunday
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A cross-section of contestants at the Nigeria Cultural Queen Pageant 2016 in Lagos

From left: President, Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Luqman Ogunjimi; Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Victor Akinmoladun; and his deputy, Dr Clement Okolo, at the Opening of an Annual General Meeting of Association of Resident Doctors, UCH Branch in Ibadan
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Volunteers and participants at the International Volunteers Day themed: Global Applause - Giving Volunteers a Hand, held at American Corner in Ibadan

The Chairman, Judicial Inquiry Commission, Justice Stephen Adah (R) presenting the committee’s reports to Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau during the official presentation ceremony in Jos

From left: President of Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), Mr Daniel Okafor; Coordinator of Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr Rose Gidado; Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu; and Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency, Mr Rufus Edegba, during a Sensitisation Seminar on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Abuja
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From left: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen Olanrewaju Tejuoso; and Lead Health Specialist, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, Meera Shekar during a high level policy dialogue on nutrition in Nigeria on Monday

Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso welcoming the representative of the President, Sen Chris Ngige to the high level policy dialogue on nutrition in Nigeria on Monday

From left: Director General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mr Sadeeq Omar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Phylis Nwokedi and the Director of Training and Development, NCWD, Princess Jummai Idonije during the presentation of certificates to Female Artisans in Abuja on Monday
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A cross-section of Graduating students at the presentation of certificates to female artisans organised by National Centre for Women Development(NCWD) in Abuja

From left: Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistani Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Barnabas Bala Bantex; Chairman, Senate Committe on Air Force, Sen. Duro Faseyi; former Governor of Gombe State, Sen. Danjuma Goje; representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Amb. Danjuma Sheni; and Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the Handing Over and Induction Ceremony of the Super Mushshak Aircraft presented by Pakistani Air Force to Nigerian Air Force, in Kaduna
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. Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistani Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman (R) handing over documents on the Super Mushshak Aircraft from his Force to the Chief of Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the ceremony in Kaduna

Managing Editor, Afrikanwatchnews, Victor Mfon; chairman of the day, Managing Director, Tatisam Nigeria Limited, Opoola Taiwo; Award recipient AND past District Governor, Lions Club International, Anthony Adedoyin; and Editor-in-Chief, Afrikanwathnews, Mark Orgu, at the Presentation of Double Award to Anthony Adedoyin and others as the Afrikanwatchnews Man and Philanthropist of the Year 2016, in Lagos
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Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe (L), Addressing a News Conference on the Re- Accreditation of NHRC To 'A' Status by International coordinating body of International Human Rights Institutions under the United Nations Systems in Abuja on Monday (5/12/16). With him is the Deputy Director, Protection and Investigation, NHRC, Mr Lambert Oparah
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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh (R), with the Minister of State, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, during a News Conference on Huge Grains Export and Fear of Famine in the Country, in Abuja

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh (6th, R); the Minister of State, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri (7th, R), with members of the ministry’s Press Corps, during a News Conference on Huge Grains Export and Fear of Famine in the Country, in Abuja

From left: Permanent Secretary, Career Management, Office of Head of Civil Service (OHCS), Mr Ogbonnaya Innocent; A Staff of Brains and Hammer Estate Developer, Ifeoma Okoye; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita; Chairman, Brains and Hammer Estate Developer, Mr Adebola Sheidu; and the Permanent Secretary Common Services office, OHCS, Mr Sky Adelakun during a visit of Brains and Hammer Estate Developer to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja
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